Aerosol-generating device

ABSTRACT

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. the aerosol-generating device comprising: a container, which extends vertically and has a chamber defined between an outer wall and an inner wall thereof for storing a liquid, the inner wall having a inserting space into which a stick is inserted; a wick disposed below the inserting space and connected to the chamber to absorb the liquid; and a heater disposed near the wick, wherein a passage is formed between the inserting space and the wick, wherein the passage has: a first passage positioned adjacent to the wick; a second passage positioned adjacent to the inserting space to be connected to the inserting space; and a third passage positioned between the first passage and the second passage to connect the first passage to the second passage, the third passage having a width that is less than a width of the first passage and less than a width of the second passage.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device

BACKGROUND ART

An aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts certain components from a medium or a substance by forming an aerosol. The medium may contain a multicomponent substance. The substance contained in the medium may be a multicomponent flavoring substance. For example, the substance contained in the medium may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee component. Recently, various research on aerosol-generating devices has been conducted.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device which is improved with regard to efficiency of use of a space configured to store therein liquid.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device which is configured to reduce the flowing distance of aerosol in order to improve the efficiency of heat transfer of aerosol.

It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device which includes a passage designed to allow aerosol to uniformly diffuse to a stick.

Technical Solution

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention for accomplishing the above and other objects, there is provided An aerosol-generating device comprising: a container, which extends vertically and has a chamber defined between an outer wall and an inner wall thereof for storing a liquid, the inner wall having a inserting space into which a stick is inserted; a wick disposed below the inserting space and connected to the chamber to absorb the liquid; and a heater disposed near the wick, wherein a passage is formed between the inserting space and the wick, wherein the passage has: a first passage positioned adjacent to the wick; a second passage positioned adjacent to the inserting space to be connected to the inserting space; and a third passage positioned between the first passage and the second passage to connect the first passage to the second passage, the third passage having a width that is less than a width of the first passage and less than a width of the second passage.

Advantageous Effects

According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an aerosol-generating device which is designed to allow a stick to be inserted into a container having a chamber configured to store therein a liquid, thereby improving the efficiency of use of the space configured to store therein the liquid.

In addition, according to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an aerosol-generating device which is configured to reduce the distance between a heater, which is configured to heat a wick connected to a chamber storing therein a liquid to thus generate an aerosol, and a stick to thus reduce the flowing distance of aerosol, thereby improving the efficiency of heat transfer for formation of the aerosol.

In addition, according to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an aerosol-generating device which is configured to cause the aerosol to pass through a passage, which is narrowed and then widened, regardless of variation in the amount of aerosol at the aerosol-generating portion of a wick, thereby allowing the aerosol to uniformly diffuse to a stick.

Additional applications of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, because various changes and modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific embodiments, including preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are merely given by way of example.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 10 are views illustrating an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

BEST MODE

A description will now be given in detail according to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brevity of description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components are denoted by the same reference numbers, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

In general, suffixes such as “module” and “unit” may be used to refer to elements or components. The use of such suffixes herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the specification, and the suffixes do not have any special meaning or function.

In the present disclosure, that which is well known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. The accompanying drawings are used to facilitate understanding of various technical features, and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes, in addition to those that are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings.

It is to be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected with” another element, intervening elements may be present. In contrast, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “directly connected with” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

A singular representation may include a plural representation unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Hereinafter, the directions of an aerosol-generating device are defined based on the orthogonal coordinate system shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 . In the orthogonal coordinate system, the x-axis direction may be defined as the rightward and leftward directions of the aerosol-generating device. Here, based on the origin, the +x-axis direction may mean the rightward direction, and the —x-axis direction may mean the leftward direction. Furthermore, the y-axis direction may be defined as the upward and downward directions of the aerosol-generating device. Here, based on the origin, the +y-axis direction may mean the upward direction, and the —y-axis direction may mean the downward direction.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a container 10 may be configured to extend vertically. The container 10 may have a hollow form. The container 10 may have the form of a cylinder that extends vertically.

The container 10 may include an outer wall 11 and an inner wall 12. The outer wall 11 may extend vertically. The outer wall 11 may extend along the outer periphery of the container 10. The outer wall 11 may extend circumferentially so as to define a cylinder form.

The inner wall 12 may extend vertically. The inner wall 12 may extend along the inner periphery of the container 10. The inner wall 12 may extend circumferentially so as to define a cylinder shape.

The inner wall 12 may be inwardly spaced apart from the outer wall 11. The inner wall 12 may be radially inwardly spaced apart from the outer wall 11. The outer wall 11 and the inner wall 12 may be connected to each other at the upper portions thereof

A chamber 101 may be defined between the outer wall 11 and the inner wall 12. The chamber 101 may extend vertically. The chamber 101 may extend circumferentially along the outer wall 11 and the inner wall 12. The chamber 101 may have a cylinder shape. Liquid may be stored in the chamber 101.

A passage 20 may be formed in an inner and lower portion of the inner wall 12. Sucked air may pass through the passage 20.

A wick 31 may be connected to the chamber 101. The wick 31 may absorb the liquid stored in the chamber 101.

A stick 40 may extend vertically. The stick 40 may have a cylindrical form. The stick 40 may be inserted into the container 10. The stick 40 may be inserted into the inner wall 12 of the container 10. The aerosol that is generated at the wick 31 may be transmitted to the stick 40 through the passage 20.

Consequently, the chamber in the container 10, in which the liquid is stored, may surround the stick 40 to improve the efficiency of the liquid-storing space.

Accordingly, since the distance between the wick 31, which is connected to the chamber 101, or a heater 32 (see FIG. 2 ), which is configured to heat the liquid to thus generate aerosol, and the stick 40 is decreased, it is possible to improve the efficiency of heat transmission to the aerosol.

A main body 50 may have a form that extends vertically. The main body 50 may have a hollow form. The main body 50 may have the form of a cylinder that extends vertically.

The container 10 and the main body 50 may be connected to each other. The container 10 may be disposed above the main body 50. The container 10 may be detachably coupled to the main body 50. The container 10 and the main body 50 may form a continuous surface.

A controller 50 may be disposed inside the main body 50. The controller 50 may perform ON/OFF control of the aerosol-generating device. The controller 51 may be electrically connected to the heater 32 (see FIG. 2 ) so as to perform control to supply power to the heater 32 to thus heat the wick 31. The controller 51 may be disposed below the heater 32. The controller 51 may be disposed adjacent to the heater 32.

A battery 52 may be disposed inside the main body 50. The battery 52 may supply power to the aerosol-generating device. The battery 52 may be electrically connected to the controller 51 and/or a terminal 53. The battery 52 may be disposed below the controller 51. The battery 52 may extend vertically.

The terminal 53 may be disposed at the end of the main body 50. The terminal 53 may be electrically connected to an external power source so as to receive power and transmit the power to the battery 52. The terminal 53 may be disposed at the lower portion of the main body 50. The terminal 53 may be disposed below the battery 52.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the inner wall 12 may extend circumferentially and vertically so as to define a inserting space 102 therein. The inserting space 102 may be formed by opening the upper and lower ends of the inside of the inner wall 12. The stick 40 (see FIG. 1 ) may be inserted into the inserting space 102. The inner wall 12 may be disposed between the chamber 101 and the inserting space 102.

The inserting space 102 may be configured to have a shape corresponding to the portion of the stick 40 that is inserted into the inserting space 102. The inserting space 102 may extend vertically. The inserting space 102 may have a cylindrical shape. When the stick 40 is inserted into the inserting space 102, the stick 40 may be surrounded by the inner wall 12, and may be in close contact with the inner wall.

The outer wall 11 and the inner wall 12 may be connected to each other via the upper portion 15 of the container 10. The chamber 101 may be defined by the outer wall 11, the inner wall 12, and the upper portion 15 and the lower portion 16 of the container 10.

The wick 31 may be disposed below the inserting space 102. The wick 31 may be disposed below the passage 20. The wick 31 may be connected to the chamber 101 so as to absorb the liquid stored in the chamber 101. The wick 31 may be disposed between the inner wall 12 and the lower portion 16 of the container 10. The wick 31 may extend in one direction. The wick 31 may be oriented horizontally.

The heater 32 may be disposed around the wick 31. The heater 32 may wound around the wick 31 in the direction in which the wick 31 extends. The heater 32 may generate an aerosol from the liquid absorbed in the wick 31 by heating due to electrical resistance thereof. The heater 32 may be connected to the controller 51 (see FIG. 1 ) so that the supply of power thereto is controlled.

The passage 20 may be formed between the inserting space 102 and the wick 31. The aerosol that is generated at the wick 31 may flow toward the inserting space 102 through the passage 20. The passage 20 may be configured so as to be narrowed and then widened in the direction in which the aerosol flows. The direction in which the aerosol flows may be upwards.

The passage 20 may be surrounded by an upper passage wall 220, which projects inwards from the inner wall 12. The upper portion of the passage 20 may be surrounded by the upper passage wall 220, and the lower portion of the passage 20 may be surrounded by a lower passage wall 210. The lower passage wall 210 may be coupled to the lower portion of the upper passage wall 220. The wick 31 may be disposed between the lower passage wall 210 and the lower portion 16 of the container 10.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the passage 20 may be divided into a first passage 21, a second passage 22, and a third passage 23.

The first passage 21 may be positioned adjacent to the wick 31. The first passage 21 may be positioned above the wick 31. The second passage 22 may be positioned adjacent to the inserting space 102. The second passage 22 may be connected to the inserting space 102.

The third passage 23 may be positioned between the first passage 21 and the second passage 22. The third passage 23 may be positioned above the first passage 21. The second passage 22 may be positioned above the third passage 23. The third passage 23 may connect the first passage 21 with the second passage 22.

The width W3 of the third passage 23 may be less than the width W1 of the first passage 21. The width W3 of the third passage 23 may be less than the width W2 of the second passage 22. The maximum width of the first passage 21 and the maximum width W2 of the second passage 22 may be equal to each other or almost equal to each other. The maximum width W1 of the first passage 21 may be greater than the maximum width W2 of the second passage 22. The width W2 of the second passage 22 may be less than the width W0 of the inserting space 102.

The passage 20 may be narrowed toward the third passage 23 from the first passage 21. The passage 20 may be widened toward the second passage 22 from the third passage 23. The width W2 of the second passage 22 may gradually increase toward the inserting space 102.

As a result, aerosol may be collected in the third passage 23, which has a small width, from the first passage 21, and may then diffuse through the second passage 22. Accordingly, even when aerosol is not uniformly generated at the wick 31, the aerosol may be uniformly introduced toward the lower portion of the stick 40 (see FIGS. 1 and 6 ).

The width W1 of the first passage 21 may decrease toward the third passage 23. The width W2 of the second passage 22 may decrease toward the third passage 23.

The extent to which the width W1 of the first passage 21 decreases toward the third passage 23 may be steeper than the extent to which the width W2 of the second passage 22 decreases toward the third passage 23. The distance L1 between the maximum width W1 of the first passage 21 and the width W3 of the third passage 23 may be less than the distance L2 between the maximum width W2 of the second passage 22 and the width W3 of the third passage 23. In other words, variation in the width relative to the length may be greater toward the third passage 23 from the first passage 21 than toward the third passage 23 from the second passage 22.

Assuming that the horizontal width of the first passage 21 is W1, the horizontal width of the second passage 22 is W2, the horizontal width of the third passage 23 is W3, the vertical length of the first passage 21 is L1, and the vertical length of the second passage 22 is L2, the relationship (W1−W3)/(L1)>(W2−W3)/(L2) may be established thereamong.

The vertical length L1 of the first passage 21 may be less than the vertical length L2 of the second passage 22 (L1<L2).

Accordingly, a space for guiding atomized liquid toward the third passage 23 may be ensured while the length of the first passage 21 is reduced, and the aerosol that is collected in the third passage 23 may flow into the inserting space 102 through the second passage 22 while uniformly diffusing (see FIG. 6 ).

The vertical length of the third passage 23 may be less than the vertical length L1 of the first passage 21. The vertical length of the third passage 23 may be less than the vertical length L2 of the second passage 22.

The second passage 22 may be configured such that the horizontal width W2 thereof gradually increases leading toward the inserting space 102 and is then maintained at a substantially constant width W2 from the point of the maximum width W2 toward the inserting space 102.

The first passage 21 may be surrounded by a first passage surface 211. The second passage 22 may be surrounded by a second passage surface 221. The third passage 23 may be surrounded by a third passage surface 231.

The first passage surface 211 may define the inner surface of the lower passage wall 210. The second passage surface 221 and the third passage surface 231 may define the inner surface of the upper passage wall 220.

The first passage surface 211 and the third passage surface 231 may be spaced apart from each other rather than defining a continuous surface. The first passage surface 211 may extend circumferentially. The first passage surface 211 may be configured to have a ring shape.

The first passage 21 may extend toward the third passage 23 while maintaining substantially the same width W1, and may be steeply narrowed to the width W3 of the third passage 23 near the third passage 23.

Consequently, since the space in the first passage 21 is provided between the first passage surface 211 and the wick 31, aerosol may be efficiently generated and may easily flow in the portion between the first passage surface 211 and the wick 31.

The third passage surface 231 and the second passage surface 221 may define a continuous surface. The third passage surface 231 may extend vertically. The third passage surface 231 may extend circumferentially. The third passage surface 231 may have a ring shape.

The second passage surface 221 may include a portion that extends toward the inserting space 102 while being increasingly widened radially outwards. The second passage surface 221 may include a portion that is inclined radially outwards toward the inserting space 102. The second passage surface 221 may include a portion that extends toward the inserting space 102 while being increasingly widened radially outwards. The second passage surface 221 may be configured to have the approximate shape of a funnel or venturi shape.

The second passage surface 221 may extend toward the inserting space 102 from the third passage surface 231 while being increasingly widened outwards, and may then extend toward the inserting space 102 from the point of maximum width W2 while maintaining the substantially constant width W2.

The second passage surface 221 may include a portion that extends toward the inserting space 102 while being rounded outwards. The second passage surface 221 may extend upwards from the third passage surface 231 while being rounded radially outwards.

Consequently, the resistance to flow may be reduced when the aerosol diffuses toward the second passage 22 from the third passage 23.

The width W2 of the second passage 22 may be the greatest at the upper end of the second passage 22, which meets the lower end of the inserting space 102. The width W2 of the upper end of the second passage 22 may be less than the width W0 of the inserting space 102.

A stepped surface 17 may be positioned between the lower end of the inserting space 102 and the upper end of the second passage 22. The stepped surface 17 may project inwards from the inner wall 12 of the container 10. The stepped surface 17 may support the periphery of the lower end of the stick 40. The stepped surface 17 may project inwards, and may define the maximum width W2 of the second passage 22.

The stepped surface 17 may constitute the upper surface of the upper passage wall 220, which projects inwards from the inner wall 12. The stepped surface 17 may extend substantially perpendicularly to the inner surface 121 of the inner wall 12. The stepped surface 17 and the inner surface 121 may face the inserting space 102. The second passage surface 221 may extend downwards from the stepped surface 17.

The projecting length L3 of the stepped surface 17 may be preferably determined such that the stepped surface 17 supports the lower end of the stick 40 (see FIG. 1 ) and such that flow loss of aerosol is minimized.

The wick 31 may be oriented so as to extend in the width direction of the first passage 21, and the heater 32 may be wound around the wick 31 in the direction in which the wick 31 extends.

The width W1 of the first passage 21 may be greater than the width W4 of the heater 32. The width W3 of the third passage 23 may be less than the width W4 of the heater 32. When the container 10 extends vertically, the width direction of the passage 20 may be a rightward and leftward direction.

Accordingly, even when a deviation in the amount of aerosol occurs at the aerosol-generating portion of the wick 31 when the heater 32 heats the liquid absorbed in the wick 31 to generate aerosol, the aerosol may be collected in the third passage 23, and may uniformly diffuse toward the inserting space 102 from the second passage 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , a first bent zone 222 and a second bent zone 223, which are formed on the second passage surface 221, may be bent so as to be reversely convex.

The first bent zone 222 may be formed on a lower portion of the second passage surface 221. The first bent zone 222 may be formed adjacent to the third passage 23. The first bent zone 222 may be bent so as to be convex in the inward direction of the container 10 from the third passage surface 231.

The second bent zone 223 may be formed on the upper portion of the second passage surface 221. The second bent zone 223 may be formed adjacent to the inserting space 102. The second bent zone 223 may be bent so as to be convex in the outward direction of the container 10 from the first bent zone 222. The second bent zone 223 may be bent so as to be convex in the outward direction of the container 10, and may include a portion that is positioned adjacent to the inserting space 102 and extends toward the inserting space 102 while maintaining a substantially constant width.

Consequently, aerosol may diffuse outwards along the first bent zone 222 of the second passage surface 221, and may be introduced straight into the inserting space 102 along the second bent zone 223 of the second passage surface 221 (see FIG. 6 ).

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the flow energy loss of the aerosol that diffuses toward the second passage 22 from the third passage 23.

The upper passage wall 220 may extend downwards from the inner wall 12. The upper passage wall 220 may be configured so as to project inwards from the inner wall 12. The second passage surface 221 and the third passage surface 231 may define the inner surface of the upper passage wall 220.

The lower passage wall 210 may be coupled to the lower portion of the upper passage wall 220. The first passage surface 211 may define the inner surface of the lower passage wall 210.

A groove 226 may be formed in the lower portion of the upper passage wall 220. The groove 226 may be formed upwards as a depression in the lower portion of the upper passage wall 220.

The inserting portion 216 may be formed at the upper portion of the lower passage wall 210. The inserting portion 216 may be formed above the first passage surface 211.

The inserting portion 216 may be formed so as to project upwards from the upper portion of the lower passage wall 210. The inserting portion 216 may be inserted into the groove 226 so as to be in close contact therewith. When the inserting portion 216 is inserted into the groove 226, the upper passage wall 220 and the lower passage wall 210 may be coupled to each other. The lower passage wall 210 may be removably coupled to the lower portion of the upper passage wall 220.

The lower passage wall 210 may define the width W1 (see FIG. 3 ) of the first passage 21. The width W1 of the first passage 21 may vary depending on the extent to which the first passage surface 211, which defines the inner surface of the lower passage wall 210, is depressed in rightward and leftward directions.

As the first flow path surface 211 of the lower flow path wall 210 is formed closer to the inner side, the width W1 of the first flow path 21 may become narrower. As the first flow path surface 211 of the lower flow path wall 210 is formed closer to the outside, the width W1 of the first flow path 21 may become wider. Accordingly, the width W1 of the first passage 21 may be determined or changed by fitting the lower passage wall 210, having a specific size, into the upper passage wall 220.

As a result, the area of the wick 31 in which liquid is atomized may be determined by changing the length W1 of the portion of the wick 31 (see FIG. 3 ) that is exposed to the first passage 21 and the width W4 of the portion of the heater 32 (see FIG. 3 ) that is wound around the wick 31.

The first passage surface 211 may extend vertically. The first passage surface 211 may be formed substantially perpendicular to the wick 31. The first passage surface 211 may define the length L1 of the first passage 21.

An extended surface 212 may constitute a portion of the inner surface of the upper passage wall 220 and a portion of the inner surface of the lower passage wall 210. The extended surface 212 may be formed between the first passage surface 211 and the third passage surface 231.

The extended surface 212 may be connected to the upper end of the first passage surface 211. The extended surface 212 may be connected to the lower end of the third passage surface 231. The extended surface 212 may extend horizontally from the upper end of the first passage surface 211. The extended surface 212 may extend horizontally from the lower end of the third passage surface 231.

The extended surface 212 may be spaced upwards apart from the wick 31. The extended surface 212 may be oriented in the width direction of the first passage 21. The extended surface 212 may extend toward the third passage 23 from the upper end of the first passage surface 211. The extended surface 212 may connect the first passage surface 211 to the third passage surface 231. The extended surface 212 may be spaced apart from the wick 31, and may face the wick 31.

The distance between the extended surface 212 and the wick 31 may be substantially the same as the height L1 of the first passage 21. The extended surface 212 may be oriented so as to face the wick 31, with the first passage 21 interposed therebetween. The extended surface 212 may be oriented substantially parallel to the wick 31. The extended surface 212 may be formed substantially perpendicularly to the first passage surface 211. The extended surface 212 may be formed substantially perpendicularly to the third passage surface 231.

The end of the first passage 21 may be surrounded by the first passage surface 211, the wick 31, and the extended surface 212. The aerosol that is atomized at the end of the wick 31 may stagnate at the end of the first passage 21.

Accordingly, a space in which the aerosol that is atomized at the end of the wick 31 is collected may be formed, and the suction force may easily act on the end of the wick 31.

Here, because turbulent flow occurs at the end of the first passage 21 due to the aerosol that is atomized at the end of the wick 31, it is possible to uniformly mix the aerosol even when variation in the amount of aerosol occurs at the aerosol-generating portion of the wick 31 (see FIG. 6 ).

A first edge portion 213 may be formed between the first passage surface 211 and the extended surface 212. The first edge portion 213 may abut the edge portion of the upper end of the first passage 21. The first edge portion 213 may extend toward the extended surface 212 from the first passage surface 211 while being rounded.

A second edge portion 214 may be formed between the extended surface 212 and the third passage surface 231. The second edge portion 214 may be formed between the first passage 21 and the third passage 23. The second edge portion 214 may extend toward the third passage surface from the extended surface 212 while being rounded.

Consequently, it is possible to reduce the flow energy loss of the aerosol that diffuses toward the third passage 23 from the first passage 21.

A wick-inserting surface 215 may define the lower end of the lower passage wall 210. The wick-inserting surface 215 may extend in the width direction of the first passage 21. The wick-inserting surface 215 may define an opening corresponding to the shape of the end of the wick 31 such that the wick 31 is inserted into the opening. The wick-inserting surface 215 may be connected to the first passage surface 211.

The wick 31 may be inserted between the wick-inserting surface 215 and the lower portion 16 of the container 10. When the wick 31 is inserted, the wick-inserting surface 215 may be in direct contact with the upper end of the wick 31. The wick-inserting surface 215 may be in close contact with the wick 31, thereby preventing outward leakage of liquid.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the upper passage wall 220 (see FIG. 4 ) and the lower passage wall 210 (see FIG. 4 ), which have been described above, may be integrally formed so as to form a passage wall 220 a, rather than being coupled to each other. The passage wall 220 a may have substantially the same shape as the shape of the combined body in which the upper passage wall 220 is coupled to the lower passage wall 210.

Consequently, a process of coupling the components to each other may be omitted, thereby preventing leakage of liquid through a gap between coupled components.

Referring to FIG. 7 , a first extended surface 212 a may constitute a portion of the inner surface of a lower passage wall 210 b. The first extended surface 212 a may abut the first passage 21. The first extended surface 212 a may be connected to the upper end of the first passage surface 211. The first extended surface 212 a may extend horizontally from the upper end of the first passage surface 211. The first edge portion 213 may be formed between the first passage surface 211 and the first extended surface 212 a.

A second extended surface 212 b may constitute a portion of the inner surface of an upper passage wall 220 b. The second extended surface 212 b may abut the first passage 21. The second extended surface 212 b may be connected to the lower end of the third passage surface 231. The second extended surface 212 b may extend horizontally from the lower end of the third passage surface 231. The second edge portion 214 may be formed between the first extended surface 212 b and the third passage surface 231.

A recess 212 c may be formed between the first extended surface 212 a and the second extended surface 212 b so as to be depressed upwards to a predetermined depth. The recess 212 c may be formed between the lower passage wall 210 b and the upper passage wall 220 b. The recess 212 c may face the upper portion of the first passage 21.

Consequently, because more turbulent flow occurs at a position adjacent to the recess 212 c due to the aerosol that is atomized at the end of the wick 31, it is possible to uniformly mix the aerosol even when variation in the amount of aerosol occurs at the aerosol-generating portion of the wick 31.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the upper portion 15 of the container 10 may be formed at the upper sides of the outer wall 11 and the inner wall 12 so as to connect the outer wall 11 to the inner wall 12. The upper portion 15 of the container 15 may cover the upper side of the chamber 101. The upper portion 15 of the container 10 may extend circumferentially to surround the inserting space 102.

The inner surface 121 of the container 10 may constitute the inner surfaces of the inner wall 12 and the upper portion 15. The inner surface 121 of the container 10 may extend vertically.

A sloped surface 152 may be formed between the upper end surface 151 and the inner surface 121 of the container 10 so as to connect the upper end surface 151 to the inner surface 121. The sloped surface 152 may extend to the inner surface 121 from the upper end surface 151 of the container 10 while being gently curved. The sloped surface 152 may extend to the upper end surface 151 from the inner surface 121 while being increasingly enlarged radially outwards. The sloped surface 152 may be inclined outwards such that the opening defined by the sloped surface 152 is narrowed leading downwards. The inner surface 121, the upper end surface 151, and the sloped surface 152 may form a continuous surface.

The width W0 of the lower end of the sloped surface 152 may be less than the width W5 of the upper end of the sloped surface 152. The width W0 of the lower end of the sloped surface 152 may be substantially the same as the width W0 of the inner surface 121.

Consequently, it is easy to fit the stick 40 into the inserting space 102.

Referring to FIG. 9 , a plug 41 is disposed at the lower portion of the stick 40. A filter portion 43 may be disposed at the upper portion of the stick 40. A granular portion 42 may be disposed between the plug 41 and the filter portion 43 in the stick 40. A medium may be contained in the granular portion 42.

A user may inhale air in the state of holding the filter portion 43 of the stick 40, inserted into the container 10, in his/her mouth. When the user inhales air through the stick 40, the aerosol that is generated at the wick 31 may be introduced into the granular portion 42 through the passage 20 and the plug 41. The aerosol introduced into the granular portion 42 may contain the medium in the granular portion, and may be introduced into the filter portion 43, thereby being filtered therethrough. The filtered air may be supplied to the user.

Referring to FIG. 10 , a main body 10′ may extend horizontally. The container 10 may be coupled to the right side or the left side of the main body 50′. The container 10 may be coupled to the interior of the main body 50′.

A controller 51′ may be disposed in the main body 50′. The controller 51′ may be disposed below the heater 32. The controller 51′ may be disposed adjacent to the heater 32.

A battery 52′ may be disposed in the main body 50′. The battery 52′ may be disposed on one side surface of the container 10. The battery 52′ may extend vertically along the container 10.

A terminal 53′ may be disposed in the main body 50′. The terminal 53′ may be disposed adjacent to the controller 51′ and the battery 52′.

In summary, referring to FIGS. 1 to 10 , an aerosol-generating device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a container 10, which extends vertically and which has a chamber 101 defined between an outer wall 11 and an inner wall 12 thereof so as to store therein a liquid, the inner wall 12 having therein a inserting space 102 into which a stick 40 is inserted, a wick 31, which is disposed below the inserting space 102 and is connected to the chamber 101 so as to absorb the liquid, a heater 32 disposed near the wick 31, and a passage 20 formed between the inserting space 102 and the wick 31, wherein the passage 20 includes a first passage 21 positioned adjacent to the wick 31, a second passage 22, which is positioned adjacent to the inserting space 102 so as to be connected to the inserting space 102, and a third passage 23, which is positioned between the first passage 21 and the second passage 22 so as to connect the first passage 21 to the second passage 22 and which has a width W3 less than the width W1 of the first passage 21 and the width W2 of the second passage 22.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the second passage 22 may include a portion, the width of which gradually increases leading toward the inserting space 102.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the second passage 22 may be configured such that the width W2 thereof gradually increases in a radially outward from the third passage leading toward the inserting space 102 and is then remains at a substantially constant from the point of the maximum width W2 to the inserting space 102.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first passage 21 may extend toward the third passage 23 while maintaining a constant width W1.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the vertical length L1 of the first passage 21 may be less than the vertical length L2 of the second passage 22.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the width of each of the first passage 21 and the second passage 22 decreases leading toward the third passage 23, and wherein a variation of the width of the first passage relative to length of the first passage is greater than a variation of the width of the second passage 22 relative to a length of the second passage.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein (W1−W3)/(L1)>(W2−W3)/(L2), wherein W1 denotes the width of the first passage, W2 denotes the width of the second passage, W3 denotes the width of the third passage, L1 denotes the length of the first passage, and L2 denotes the length of the second passage.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a second passage surface 221 surrounding the second passage 22, the second passage surface 221 including a portion that is inclined radially outwards toward the inserting space 102.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the second passage surface 221 may include a portion that extends toward the inserting space 102 and is rounded.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the second passage surface 221 may include a first bent zone 222, which is formed adjacent to the third passage 23 and is bent so as to be convex toward the inside of the container 10, and a second bent zone 223, which is formed adjacent to the inserting space 102 and is bent so as to be convex toward the outside of the container 10.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a first passage surface 211, which surrounds the first passage 21 and extends vertically, a third passage surface 231, which surrounds the third passage 23 and extends vertically, and an extended surface 212, which connects the first passage surface 211 to the third passage surface 231 and is spaced apart from the wick 31 so as to face the wick 31.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the wick 31 may extend in the width direction of the first passage 21, and the extended surface 212 may extend parallel to the wick 31.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the wick 31 may extend in the width direction of the first passage 21, the heater 32 may be wound around the wick 31 along the wick 31, and the third passage 23 may have a width less than the width of the heater 32 wound around the wick 31.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the upper end of the second passage 22 may have a width W2 less than the width WO of the inserting space 102.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a stepped surface 17, which is positioned between the lower end of the inserting space 102 and the upper end of the second passage 22, projects inwards from the inner wall 12 of the container 10, and supports the periphery of the lower end of the stick 40 inserted into the inserting space 102.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a sloped surface 152, which extends toward the upper end surface 151 of the container 10 from the inner surface 121 of the container 10 while being inclined outwards.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined with another or combined with each other in configuration or function.

For example, a configuration “A” described in one embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings and a configuration “B” described in another embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is impossible.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. An aerosol-generating device comprising: a container, which extends vertically and has a chamber defined between an outer wall and an inner wall thereof for storing a liquid, the inner wall having a inserting space into which a stick is inserted; a wick disposed below the inserting space and connected to the chamber to absorb the liquid; and a heater disposed near the wick, wherein a passage is formed between the inserting space and the wick, wherein the passage has: a first passage positioned adjacent to the wick; a second passage positioned adjacent to the inserting space to be connected to the inserting space; and a third passage positioned between the first passage and the second passage to connect the first passage to the second passage, the third passage having a width that is less than a width of the first passage and less than a width of the second passage.
 2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the second passage has a portion having a width which gradually increases leading toward the inserting space.
 3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the second passage is configured such that the width thereof gradually increases in a radially outward from the third passage leading toward the inserting space and then remains substantially constant from a point of a maximum width to the inserting space.
 4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first passage extends toward the third passage while maintaining a constant width.
 5. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein a vertical length of the first passage is less than a vertical length of the second passage.
 6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the width of each of the first passage and the second passage decreases leading toward the third passage, and wherein a variation of the width of the first passage relative to a length of the first passage is greater than a variation of the width of the second passage relative to a length of the second passage.
 7. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 6, wherein (W1−W3)/(L1)>(W2−W3)/(L2), wherein W1 denotes the width of the first passage, W2 denotes the width of the second passage, W3 denotes the width of the third passage, L1 denotes the length of the first passage, and L2 denotes the length of the second passage.
 8. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein a second passage surface surrounding the second passage has a portion that is inclined radially outwards toward the inserting space.
 9. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, wherein the second passage surface has a portion that extends toward the inserting space and is rounded.
 10. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, wherein the second passage surface has: a first bent zone adjacent to the third passage and bent to be convex toward an inside of the container; and a second bent zone adjacent to the inserting space and bent to be convex toward an outside of the container.
 11. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein a first passage surface surrounds the first passage and extends vertically, wherein a third passage surface surrounds the third passage and extends vertically, and wherein an extended surface connecting the first passage surface to the third passage surface is spaced apart from the wick to face the wick.
 12. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11, wherein the wick extends along the width of the first passage, and the extended surface extends parallel to the wick.
 13. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the wick extends along the width of the first passage, wherein the heater is wound around the wick along a length of the wick, and wherein the width of the third passage is less than a width of the heater wound around the wick.
 14. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the width of the second passage at an upper end of the second passage is less than a width of the inserting space.
 15. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 14 wherein a stepped surface, which is positioned between a lower end of the inserting space and an upper end of the second passage, projects inwards from the inner wall of the container, and supports a periphery of a lower end of the stick inserted into the inserting space.
 16. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 wherein a sloped surface extends toward an upper end surface of the container from an inner surface of the container while being inclined outwards. 